Master Gardeners organized a series of holiday-themed gardening events in late 2025, bringing together community members for hands-on activities and seasonal celebrations.
In November, Christina Ruark led a presentation called “Decorating for the Holidays with Nature” at the Fairfield Garden Club. She provided plant material from her five-acre property and supplied glass vases for participants to use in their arrangements. Cindy Yee, a Master Gardener who attended the event, said, “I brought a bunch of aeonium cuttings to share, and loved this class so much! What luck, my arrangement was still in great shape for Thanksgiving, and received compliments from all our guests.”
Another event featured Diane Hagen’s terrarium class. Attendees worked with plants grown by Hagen and could purchase kits to continue making terrariums at home. According to Yee, “Diane Hagen’s Terrarium class was very well attended, and she had grown a big variety of plants for the class. I even rooted some tradescantia ‘Nanouk’ cuttings to donate. Everything was included and there were kits for purchase. The attendees had a marvelous time. I bought 3 kits and made terrariums as hostess gifts for the holidays.”
Early December saw Kaiser physicians visiting the Master Gardener office to create holiday wreaths. After an initial demonstration period, participants worked independently on their projects while volunteers also joined in using leftover materials. Yee noted that “the MG bow lady Amy chose and made the perfect bow for my wreath (see photo below).”
Ruth Clawson hosted an event called “Gifts from the Garden,” offering multiple stations with activities ranging from floral arrangements and wreaths to herb vinegars, dried sachets, simmer pot ingredients and ornaments. All materials were donated by Clawson herself. Yee described it as follows: “What a fun morning that was! Ruth had so many stations all around the room… This was an event not to be missed.”
Yee also shared her personal experience making homemade bird feeders by covering pinecones with peanut butter and birdseed as festive gifts for local birds but reported mixed results due to interference from wildlife.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources supports such outreach initiatives across California by sharing science-based practices statewide through research centers and local offices in every county (https://ucanr.edu/). The organization is affiliated with the University of California system (https://ucanr.edu/) and has played a role in delivering expertise on farming, environmental conservation, nutrition education, food networks, youth programs and wildfire protection throughout its history (https://ucanr.edu/).
Glenda Humiston currently serves as vice president of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (https://ucanr.edu/).